Love stories; New York (N.Y.) -- History -- 1775-1865 -- Fiction
"None of them. The two eldest have been long away. Neil was obliged to
leave New York when the Act forbidding Tory lawyers to practice was
passed. But he was not quite alone, his old friend Joris Van Heemskirk
was with him to the last moment. The love of these old men for each
other was a very beautiful thing."
"He was once rich. Did he lose everything in the war?"
"Very near all. His home was saved by Van Heemskirk, and he had a
little money 'enough to die wi'' he said one day to me; and then he
continued, 'there's compensations, Doctor, in having naething to leave.
My lads will find no bone to quarrel over.' I met a messenger coming
for me this morning, and when I went to his bedside, he said, with a
pleasant smile, 'I'll be awa' in an hour or twa now, Doctor; and then
I'll hae no mair worrying anent rebellion and democrats; I'll be under
the dominion o' the King o' kings and His throned Powers and
Principalities; and after a' this weary voting, and confiscations, and
guillotining, it will be Peace--Peace--Peace:'--and with that word on
his lips, the 'flitting' as he called it was accomplished."
"There is nothing to mourn in such a death, John."
"Indeed, no. It was just as he said 'a flitting.' And it was strange
that, standing watching what he so fitly called the 'flitting,' I
thought of some lines I have not consciously remembered for many years.
They reflect only the old Greek spirit, with its calm acceptance of
death and its untroubled resignation, but they seemed to me very
applicable to the elder's departure:
Not otherwise to the hall of Hades dim
He fares, than if some summer eventide
A Message, not unlooked for, came to him;
Bidding him rise up presently, and ride
Some few hours' journey, to a friendly home."
"There is nothing to fear in such a death."
"Nothing at all. Last week when Cornelia and I passed his house, he was
leaning on the garden gate, and he spoke pleasantly to her and told her
she was a 'bonnie lassie.' Where is Cornelia?"
"In her room. John, she went to Duyckinck's this morning for me, and
George Hyde met her again, and they took a walk together on the
Battery. It was near the noon hour when she returned."
"She told you about it?"
"Oh yes, and without inquiry."
"Very good. I must look after that young fellow." But he said the words
without much care, and Mrs. Moran was not satisfied.
"Then you do not disapprove the meeting, John?" she asked.
"Yes, I do. I disapprove of any young man meeting my daughter every
time she goes out. Cornelia is too young for lovers, and it is not
desirable that she should have attentions from young men who have no
intentions. I do not want her to be what is called a belle. Certainly
not."
"But the young men do not think her too young to be loved. I can see
that Rem Van Ariens is very fond of her."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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